Collapsible line space lever mechanism

ABSTRACT

A line space lever can either be positively locked in an operating position or be collapsed so that a typewriter can be stored in a compact carrying case. The line space lever can be collapsed when the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism. When the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism and locked in a centered position, the line space lever can be collapsed simply by closing the carrying case.

Unite States atent Harmon et a1.

[ Nov. 12, 1974 COLLAPSIBLE LINE SPACE LEVER MECHANISM Inventors: James E. Harmon, Gorton; Aaron C. Zeamer, Cortland, both of NY.

Assignee: SCM Corporation, New York, NY.

Filed: Mar. 12, 1973 Appl. No.: 340,643

us. c1. 197/114 R, 197/92 1m. (:1 B41j 19/76 Field of Search...;..., 197/114 R, 114 A, 114 B,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1925 Latta 197/186 A 7/1928 Rose 197/193 3/1938 Stickney 197/1 14 2,388,936 11/1945 Prezioso 197/114 2599535 6/1952 Avery et a1. 1 197/114 3.311213 3/1967 Amos 197/114 X 3,719,263 3/1973 Navone 197/193 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-R. T. Rader Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn A. Taylor [57] ABSTRACT A line space lever can either be positively locked in an operating position or be collapsed so that a typewriter can be stored in a compact carrying case The line space lever can be collapsed when the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism. When the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism and locked in a centered position, the line space lever can be collapsed simply by closing the carrying case.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEBNM 12 m4 3.84734 SHEU 30$ 3 I. COLLAPSIBLE LINE SPACE LEVER MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to mechanisms for typewriters and more particularly to a line space lever mechanism for a collapsible line space lever with the line space lever mechanism tied in with other mechanisms in the typewriter.

2. Description of the Prior Art If a typewriter is stored in a carrying case without releasing the carriage from the lateral escapement mechanism, a small jolt can throw the carriage out of adjustmentor even break some of the delicate parts of the escapement mechanism. If a collapsible line space lever is not provided, the carrying case must be thicker than the body of the typewriter and, consequently, the carrying case will cost more and not be as aesthetically pleasing as a thinner carrying case. In addition, a thick carrying case requires a thick shipping carton and the thick shipping carton in turn takes up more room than a thinner shipping carton, thus further increasing costs. Mechanisms for releasing carriages from lateral escapement mechanisms are known and mechanisms for permitting line space levers to collapse are known. However, heretofor, no mechanism was known in which a line space lever is positively locked in an operating position and can normally collapse only when the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism. In other words, no mechanism was known in which the cover of a carrying case cannot be closed until the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for a type.- writer whereby a line space lever can either be positively locked in an operating position or be collapsed so that the typewriter can be stored in a compact ,con-

carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism and centered on the typewriter as for storage in a container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism in accordance with the foregoing objects whereby the line space lever can be collapsed once the carriage is released from the lateral escapement mechanism and centered on the typewriter simply by closing the cover of the container containing the typewriter.

Another object of the invention is to provide amechanism in accordance with the foregoing objects that requires very little modification of existing typewriters.

In order to accomplish the objects of the invention and to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art,, a line space lever mechanism similar to the type disclosed in a .U.S. Pat. No. 2,599,535, which was issued June 10, 1952, to Henry A. Avery and Joseph P. Barkdoll, has been modified to permit the line space lever to collapse. In order to permit the line space lever to collapse, a seat is formed in the lower pivot support for the lower pivot pin of the line space lever. The line space lever is positively fixed in an operating position by a finger that extends into the slot in a first embodiment of the invention or by a hole in an arm acting as a withdrawable lower pivot support in a second embodiment of the invention. When it is desired to permit the line space lever to collapse, the finger (or the arm) are withdrawn so that the lower pivot pin can shift in the slot in the lower pivot support.

The finger (or the arm) are constructed to be engaged by a carriage release lever. When the carriage release lever is actuated to release the carriage from the lateral escapement mechanism the finger (or the arm) are withdrawn so that the line space lever can collapse. In addition, the carriage release lever can be actuated by an escapement throwout lever. The escapement throwout lever operates a forked lever that engages a centering stop when the carriage is released and centered on the typewriter to lock the carriage in a released and centered position. If the typewriter is in a carrying case and the carriage is not released, the cover of the carrying case cannot be closed because the line space lever cannot collapse. Thus, the combination of a collapsible line space lever and a carriage release mechanism insures that the carriage is properly released when the typewriter is in a carrying case and en ables the carrying case to be very compact.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention can be had by referring to the description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the typewriter incorporating a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is atop plan view of the line space lever shown in FIG. 1 showing the connection of the line space lever to the pawl that rotates the platen.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the line space lever mechanism shown in FIG. 1 drawn from the DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the invention is disclosed incorporated in a typewriter having a frame 10 and a jacket 12 enclosing the frame. A bed plate 14 is connected to the rear of the typewriter by screws 16.

Mounted on the bed plate is a'carriage 18 having a bottom plate 20 and end plates 22 and 24. The carriage rides laterally across the typewriter on bearings 26 in raceways 28. The raceways are formed by flanges 30 and 32 on the edges of the bed plate of the typewriter and the bottom plate of the carriage. Only the front raceway is shown in the drawings.

Included in the typewriter is a lateral escapement mechanism for the carriage. The lateral escapement mechanism includes a rack 34 mounted on two carriage release levers 36 and 38 by screws 40. The carriage release levers are in turn pivotally mounted on the end plates of the carriage by pivot screws 42 and 44. The rack is normally biased against a pinion 46 on the bed plateof the typewriter by a coil spring 48 at the left end of the carriage. The coil spring is connected betweenan car 50 on the left carriage release lever and v right carriagereleaselever and a second finger 66 that engages a slot 68 in a horizontal lever 70 pivotally mounted on the bottom of the bottom plate of the carriage by a pivot screw 72. The horizontal lever has a fork-shaped free end 74 adapted to engage a carriage centering stop 76-connected to the bed typewriter by screws 78.

.The carriage includes a line space lever mechanism plate of the -,similar to the typedescribed in a US. Pat. No.

2,599,535, dated June 10, 1952, and issued to Henry A. Avery and Joseph P. Barkdoll. The line s'pace'lever mechanism includes a line space lever 80 connected to a pivot bracket 82 that is pivotally mounted by a pivot in'the form of two pivot pins 84 and 86 on two pivot supports 88 and 90 on the support bracket. The lower pivot pin is mounted on and projects downward from the'pivot bracket while the upper pivot pin is mounted on and projects upward from the upper pivot support on the support bracket. The pivot bracket is locked on the support bracket by a clip 92 in an annular groove, which is not shown, in the upper pivot pin.

With reference to FIG. 2, a fork-shaped extension 94 of the line space lever pivot bracket 82' extends to the inboard side of the left end plate of the carriage and engages a spherical bearing 96 mounted on a lever 98 by a pivot pm 100. The lever is in turn pivotally mounted ona bearing sleeve, which is not shown, for a platen 102. The lever has a pivot pin 104 for a pawl 106 that engages a ratchet wheel 108 to successively rotate the platen upon pivotal movement of the line space lever. The pawl is biased against the ratchet wheel by a coil spring 110 connected between an ear 112 on the pawl and an ear 1 14 on the lever. The platen can also be rotated by a knob 116 on the left end of the platen.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. With particular reference to FIG. 3, in order to permit the line space lever to collapse, the lower pivot pin 86 on the line space lever bracket pivots in a slot 118 in the lower pivot support. The pivot pin is biased to the front end of the slot and the line space lever is biased into operating or uncollapsed position by a coil spring 120 connected between an ear 122 on the pivot bracket 82 and an ear 124 on the support bracket.

In order to lock the line space lever in operating position, a first fingerll26-on an arm 128 extends into the slot 1 18 in the lower pivot support to prevent the lower pivot pin 86 from shifting in the slot. The arm is pivotally mounted on the left end plate of the carriage by a pivot screw 130 and the first finger is biased into the slot in the lower pivot support by a coil spring 132 connected between a hole 134 in the arm and a hole 136 in the left carriage release lever. The arm is guided by a fork-shaped extension 138 of the lower pivot support.

In order to withdraw the first finger on the arm from the slot in the lower pivot support to permit the line space lever to collapse, afinger 140 is formed on the left carriage release lever. The finger on the left carriage releaselever engages a second finger 142 on the arm 128 to withdraw the first finger from the slot when one of the carriage release levers is actuated to release the carriage from the lateral escapement'mechanism.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As in the first embodiment, in order to permit the line space lever to collapse, a lower portion of a pivot in the form of a lower pivot pin 144 on the line space lever pivot bracket 82 pivots in a slot 146 in a lower pivot support 148. Once again the pivot pin is biased to the front end of the slot and the line space lever is biased into operating or uncollapsed position by a coil spring 150 connected between an ear 152 on the pivot bracket and an ear 154 on the support bracket.

order to lock the line space lever into operating position, a hole 156 in an arm 158 engages the lower pivot pin 144 to prevent the pivot pin from shifting in the slot 146 in the lower pivot support. The arm is pivotally mounted on the left end plate, of the carriage by a pivot screw 160 and is biased into engagement with the lower pivot pin by a coil spring 162 connected between a hole 164 in the arm and a hole 166 in the left carriage release lever. As shown in FIG. 5, bevels' 168 and 170 are formed aroundthe hole in the arm and on the end of the lower pivot pin to facilitate engagement of the arm with the pivot pin.

In order to withdraw the arm from the lowerpivot pin to permit the line spacelever to collapse, a pin 172 is mounted on the left carriage release lever. The'pin engages a finger 174 on the arm 158 to withdraw the arm from the lower pivot pin when one of the carriage release levers is actuated to release the carriage from the lateral escapement mechanism.

In operation, with reference to FIG. 1, when it is desired to place the typewriter in a carrying case 176 having a cover 178, certain minor operations are necessary. The carriage must be moved to the right and the escapement throwout lever 58 must be pivoted upward. Upward pivotal movement of the escapement throwout lever causes the first finger 62 on the escapement throwout lever to engage the finger 64 on the right carriage release lever to lower the rack 34 out of engagement with the pinion 46 and hence release the carriage from the lateral escapement mechanism. Simultaneously, the second finger 66 on the escapement throwout lever pivots the horizontal lever 70 on the bottom of the carriage so that the fork-shaped free end 74 of the lever is in alignment with the carriage centering stop 76. By shifting the carriage so that the forkshaped free end of the horizontal lever engages the carraige centering stop, the carriage can be centered on the typewriter and the rack can be locked out of engagement with the pinion.

With reference to FIG. 3 and the first embodiment of the invention, also simultaneously with upward pivotal movement of the escapement throwout lever 58 to release the carriage from the lateral escapement mechanism, the finger 140 on the left carriage release lever engages the second finger 142 on the arm 128 to withdraw the firstfinger 126 on the arm from the slot 118 in the lower pivot support. Thus, the lower pivot pin 86 is free to shift in the slot and the line space lever is free to collapse if the tension of the coil spring 120 between the pivot bracket and the support bracket is overcome.

With reference to-FIG. 4 and the second embodiment of the invention, simultaneously with upward pivotal movement of the escapement throwout lever 58 to release the carriage from the lateral escapement mechanism, the pin 172 on the left carriage release lever engages the finger 174 on the arm 158 to withdraw the arm from the lower pivot pin 144. Thus, as in the first embodiment, the pivot pin is free to shift in the slot and the line space lever is free to collapse if the tension of the coil spring 150 between the pivot bracket and the support bracket is overcome. The bevels 168 and 1170 around the hole 156 in the arm and on the end of the lower pivot pin 144 facilitate re-engagement of the arm with the lower pivot pin.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, the typewriter is ready to be placed in the carrying case with the carriage centered and locked out of engagement with the lateral escapement mechanism. When the cover 178 of the carrying case is closed, the inside surface of the cover cams the line space lever 80 down into a collapsed position. With reference to FIG. 2, the spherical bearing 96 permits the line space lever to collapse without binding any of the parts of the line space lever mechanism. Thus, a compact carrying case can be used and the carrying case cannot even be closed unless the carriage is properly released from the lateral escapement mechanism because otherwise the line space lever is positively locked in operating position. If the carriage were not out of engagement with the lateral escapement mecha nism, a small jolt could throw the carriage. out of adjustment or even break some of the delicate parts of the lateral escapement mechanism.

Thus, a modest modification of an existing line space lever and a tie-in with existing mechanisms has created a new combination that enables an aesthetically pleasing compact'carrying case to be used and insures that atypist makes the minor adjustment of the typewriter that best protects the typewriter in transit or in storage.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An improved mechanism for a typewriter having a carriage, an escapement between the carriage and the rest of the typewriter, means for releasing the carriage from the escapement, and a line space lever on the carriage, wherein the improvement comprises means for collapsing the line space lever, means for detaining the line space lever in operating position, and connecting means connected between the carriage release means and the line-space-lever detaining means for releasing the detaining means so that the line space lever can collapse when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 in which the carriage release means includes an escapement throwout lever.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 which includes means for centering the carriage on the typewriter and means connected to the escapement throwout lever for engaging the carriage centering means when the escapement throwout lever is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.

4. The mechanism of claim 1 in which the carriage release means includes at least one carriage release lever.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 in which the carriage release means also includes an escapement throwout lever and which includes means on the escapement throwout lever for engaging the carriage release lever to release the detaining means so that the line space lever can collapse when the escapement throwout lever is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 which includes means for centering the carriage on the typewriter and means connected to the escapement throwout lever for engaging the carriage centering means when the escapement throwout lever is actuated to-release the carriage from the escapement.

7. The mechanism of claim 1 which includes a pivot on the line space lever for pivotally mounting the line space lever on the carriage, a first pivot support on the carriage at one end of the pivot, and a second pivot support on the carriage at the other end of the pivot, and in which the line-space-lever collapsing means includes means for shifting the pivot relative to the sec- 0nd pivot support so that the line space lever can collapse. 3

8. The mechanism of claim 7 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes a finger that extends into the slotto confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means release means is actuated to release the carriage fromthe escapement.

10. The mechanism of claim 7 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes an arm having a hole for the pivot to confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the arm out of contact with the pivot.

11. The mechanism of claim 10 in which the arm is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the arm so that the hole in the arm engages the pivot.

12. The mechanism of claim 11 inwhich both the end of the pivot and the'hole in the arm have bevels to help the hole engage the pivot.

13. A line space lever mechanism for a carriage for a typewriter having an escapement between the carriage and the rest of the typewriter and means for releasing the carriage from the escapement, said line space lever mechanism comprising a line space lever on the carriage, means for collapsing the line space lever, means for detaining the line space lever in operating position, and connecting means connected between the carriage release means and the line-space-lever detaining means for releasing the detaining means so that the line space lever can collapse when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.

14. The line space lever mechanism of claim 13 which includes a pivot on the line space lever for pivotally mounting the line space lever on the carriage, a first pivot support on the carriage at one end of the pivot, and a second pivot support on the carriage at the other end of the pivot, and in which the line-space lever collapsing means includes means for shifting the pivot relative to the second pivot support so that the line space lever can collapse.

15. The line space lever mechanism of claim 14 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the'line-space-lever detaining means includes a finger that extends into the slot to confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the finger out of the slot.

16. The line space lever mechanism of claim 15 in which the finger is on an arm that is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the finger into the slot and the connecting means includes a second finger on the arm and a finger on the carriage release means that engages the second finger on the arm when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.

17. The line space lever mechanism of claim 14 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes an arm having a hole for the pivot to confine the pivot in one position unless the car riage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the arm out of contact with the pivot.

18. The line space lever mechanism of claim 17 in which the arm is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the arm so that the hole in the arm engages the pivot.

19. The line space lever mechanism of claim 18 in which both the end of the pivot and the hole in the arm have bevels to help the hole engage the pivot. 

1. An improved mechanism for a typewriter having a carriage, an escapement between the carriage and the rest of the typewriter, means for releasing the carriage from the escapement, and a line space lever on the carriage, wherein the improvement comprises means for collapsing the line space lever, means for detaining the line space lever in operating position, and connecting means connected between the carriage release means and the line-spacelever detaining means for releasing the detaining means so that the line space lever can collapse when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1 in which the carriage release means includes an escapement throwout lever.
 3. The mechanism of claim 2 which includes means for centering the carriage on the typewriter and means connected to the escapement throwout lever for engaging the carriage centering means when the escapement throwout lever is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 4. The mechanism of claim 1 in which the carriage release means includes at least one carriage release lever.
 5. The mechanism of claim 4 in which the carriage release means also includes an escapement throwout lever and which includes means on the escapement throwout lever for engaging the carriage release lever to release the detaining means so that the line space lever can collapse when the escapement throwout lever is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 6. The mechanism of claim 5 which includes means for centering the carriage on the typewriter and means connected to the escapement throwout lever for engaging the carriage centering means when the escapement throwout lever is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 7. The mechanism of claim 1 which includes a pivot on the line space lever for pivotally mounting the line space lever on the carriage, a first pivot support on the carriage at one end of the pivot, and a second pivot support on the carriage at the other end of the pivot, and in which the line-space-lever collapsing means includes means for shifting the pivot relative to the second pivot support so that the line space lever can collapse.
 8. The mechanism of claim 7 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support fOr the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes a finger that extends into the slot to confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the finger out of the slot.
 9. The mechanism of claim 8 in which the finger is on an arm that is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the finger into the slot and the connecting means includes a second finger on the arm and a finger on the carriage release means that engages the second finger on the arm when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 10. The mechanism of claim 7 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes an arm having a hole for the pivot to confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the arm out of contact with the pivot.
 11. The mechanism of claim 10 in which the arm is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the arm so that the hole in the arm engages the pivot.
 12. The mechanism of claim 11 in which both the end of the pivot and the hole in the arm have bevels to help the hole engage the pivot.
 13. A line space lever mechanism for a carriage for a typewriter having an escapement between the carriage and the rest of the typewriter and means for releasing the carriage from the escapement, said line space lever mechanism comprising a line space lever on the carriage, means for collapsing the line space lever, means for detaining the line space lever in operating position, and connecting means connected between the carriage release means and the line-space-lever detaining means for releasing the detaining means so that the line space lever can collapse when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 14. The line space lever mechanism of claim 13 which includes a pivot on the line space lever for pivotally mounting the line space lever on the carriage, a first pivot support on the carriage at one end of the pivot, and a second pivot support on the carriage at the other end of the pivot, and in which the line-space-lever collapsing means includes means for shifting the pivot relative to the second pivot support so that the line space lever can collapse.
 15. The line space lever mechanism of claim 14 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes a finger that extends into the slot to confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the finger out of the slot.
 16. The line space lever mechanism of claim 15 in which the finger is on an arm that is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the finger into the slot and the connecting means includes a second finger on the arm and a finger on the carriage release means that engages the second finger on the arm when the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement.
 17. The line space lever mechanism of claim 14 in which the shifting means includes a slot in the second pivot support for the pivot and the line-space-lever detaining means includes an arm having a hole for the pivot to confine the pivot in one position unless the carriage release means is actuated to release the carriage from the escapement and cause the connecting means to move the arm out of contact with the pivot.
 18. The line space lever mechanism of claim 17 in which the arm is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which includes means for biasing the arm so that the hole in the arm engages the pivot.
 19. The line space lever mechanism oF claim 18 in which both the end of the pivot and the hole in the arm have bevels to help the hole engage the pivot. 